People, Locations, Episodes

Robert H. McNeill, Photographer born.

*Robert H. McNeill was born on this date in 1917. He was a Black still photographer.  He was born in Washington, D.C., the son of a doctor and a schoolteacher, and grew up in the Shaw neighborhood. He became interested in photography at a young age after observing a demonstration on developing photographs. He joined […]

Pearl Bailey, Actress, and Entertainer born

*On this date, Pearl Bailey was born in 1918. This African American singer, actress and entertainer, known for her comedic timing and charm, was honored for her service to American troops, and named as special delegate to the United Nations (UN).

Charles White, Artist, and Instructor born

*On this date Charles White was born in 1918. He was an African American graphic artist, painter, and instructor.

Carol Brice, Contralto Vocalist born

Carol Brice was born on this date 1918. She was an African American contralto singer.

Talley Beatty, Choreographer born

*Talley Beatty was born on this date in 1918. He was a Black dancer and choreographer. Talley Beatty was born in Cedar Grove, Louisiana, a section of Shreveport, but grew up in Chicago, Illinois. At the age of fourteen, he began studying dance with Katherine Dunham. He learned her style of dancing, which was heavily based […]

‘The Black Bottom’, African Roots in American Dance

*The Black Bottom dance is celebrated on this date. This is one of many dances brought from African culture through Blacks during and after slavery.

Originally starting in New Orleans the Black Bottom later worked its way to New York. Some say blues singer Alberta Hunter introduced the dance. Others say Perry Bradford in Nashville, Tennessee introduced it to white America in 1919 when he wrote the Song “The Black Bottom.” Bradford’s sheet music had the music as well as the dance instructions printed on them.

Pearl Primus, Choreographer born

*Pearl Primus was born on this date in 1919. She was a Trinidadian American dancer, choreographer, and anthropologist. Her work helped establish the importance of African American dance in United States culture.

Norma Miller, Dancer, and Choreographer born

*Norma Miller was born on this date in 1919. She was a Black lindy hop dancer, choreographer, actress, author, and comedian known as the “Queen of Swing.” Norma Miller was born in Harlem, New York, to her mother, Alma, and father, Norman, a soldier from Bridgetown, Barbados. She was named after her father, who died from pneumonia a month before her birth. […]

Roy DeCarava, Photographer born

*Roy DeCarava was born on this date in 1919. He was an African American artist and photographer.

Roy Rudolph DeCarava was born in Harlem, New York the only child of Elfreda, a Jamaican, and Andrew DeCarava. At five he began to express his artistic ability: he made jewelry with his friends, chalk drawings in the streets where he played, and sketches of “cowboys and Indians.” From early childhood through high school, he shined shoes, sold newspapers on the subway, making deliveries, or hauled ice. DeCarava attended Textile High School’s annex in Harlem, which was segregated.

William Warfield, Baritone Vocalist born

*On this date, William Warfield was born in 1920. He was an African American Vocalist and singer.

Warfield was the eldest of five sons from West Helene Arkansas. While very young, his father, Robert, moved the family to Rochester, New York seeking better educational and employment opportunities. While in high school, Warfield entered the regional auditions of the National Music Educators League Competition and the National Finals later that year in St. Louis winning both.

Anne Kennedy, Classical Pianist and Professor born.

*Anne Kennedy was born on this date in 1920. She was a Black classical pianist and piano professor. Anne Lucille Gamble was born in Charleston, West Virginia, to Dr. Henry Floyd Gamble and the former Nina Hortense Clinton. She was the younger of two children born into that union. Gamble had two older step-siblings as […]

Matthew Kennedy, Choral Conductor born

*Matthew Kennedy was born on this date in 1921. He was a Black classical pianist, professor, choral director, composer, and arranger of Negro Spirituals. Matthew Washington Kennedy was born in Americus, Georgia, and was the fourth child of Royal Clement Kennedy and Mary Magdalene Dowdell. His father was a postal worker and died of a heart attack […]

Robert McFerrin Sr., Operatic Baritone born

*Robert McFerrin, Sr. was born on this date in 1921. He was a Black operatic baritone and the first African American man to sing at the Metropolitan Opera in New York City.

Harold Nicholas, Tap Dancer born

*On this date we recall the birth of Harold Nicholas in 1921. He was a Black dancer specializing in Tap.

Reginald Gammon, Artist, and Printmaker born

*Reginald Gammon was born on this date in 1921. He was a Black artist, printmaker, and art educator born in Philadelphia, PA. He graduated high school in 1941 and received a scholarship to the Philadelphia Museum School of Industrial Arts (now known as the University of the Arts). After taking a job at the Philadelphia Naval […]